BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City Government has strengthened its energy conservation efforts with the implementation of a flexible work arrangement, reinforcing its commitment to efficient public service while promoting responsible energy use.
Under Memorandum No. 099, series of 2026, Mayor Greg Gasataya directed all city government offices and departments to adopt the new work setup effective April 6.
The policy requires employees to report onsite from Monday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while work-from-home arrangements will be observed every Friday.
The remote work setup applies to tasks that can be performed outside the office, such as research, policy development, data processing, drafting, reporting, email correspondence, and other computer-based activities.
However, the memorandum emphasizes that essential services—including frontline operations, public safety, and health emergency response—must continue without interruption. Offices handling these services are authorized to implement alternative schedules to ensure continuous service delivery.
To maintain productivity and accountability, the policy sets clear guidelines, including output-based performance standards, submission of accomplishment reports, adherence to official communication protocols, and compliance with data privacy and security regulations.
Gasataya said the initiative reflects the city’s firm commitment to energy conservation while ensuring effective and efficient governance.
The flexible work arrangement follows an earlier measure introduced by the city government.
On March 16, the city implemented a compressed four-day workweek under Executive Order No. 15, series of 2026, signed by the mayor on March 10. The order required government offices to operate from Monday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., completing the standard 40-hour workweek.
The move aligned with Memorandum Circular No. 114 issued by the Office of the President on March 6, 2026, which called for stricter energy-saving measures across government agencies and encouraged local government units to adopt similar strategies.
With the transition to a flexible work arrangement, Bacolod City continues to explore adaptive solutions that balance sustainability goals with uninterrupted public service, demonstrating a forward-looking approach to governance for the benefit of its residents./PN
